Before we break down The Best Boxing Gloves of 2019, we need to review what makes a great boxing glove. These are the critical aspects of a glove that separate it from the competition, and the criteria we used to judge each glove. We suggest reading the whole article before checking out the final results.

Recently, there’s been more and more people joining fitness boxing classes, which is great to see. Unfortunately, if you haven’t boxed before, you may not realize that you shouldn’t feel hand pain after your workout. It’s become a significant issue for people new to the sport. Many of which are permanently damaging their hands, and wrists by wearing non-protective gloves.

Unfortunately, if you haven’t boxed before, you may not realize that you shouldn’t feel hand pain after your workout.

The record needs to be set straight, and the boxing glove industry needs to raise its standards instead of lowering price tags. This post will outline the 3 factors that define great boxing gloves, then analyze the current gloves on the market to see how they rank. Educate yourself and choose the right gloves. You've only got two hands and if you damage them, there's no going back.

3 Factors Define Great Boxing Gloves

Shopping for the perfect boxing glove isn’t easy, and maybe it shouldn’t be. There are hundreds of brands, all with their own product lines ranging in price, features, and style. Don’t let any of these factors cloud your judgment. Unlike helmets, there are no official international standards of what companies have to follow. Just because a brand has been around for longer doesn’t mean it’s making a high-quality product. Your decision should always be determined by 3 simple factors: Wrist support, Hand protection, and Comfort/Fit.

Unlike helmets, there are no official international standards of what companies have to follow.

Wrist Support

Think about the amount of pressure you put on your joints every time you punch a heavy bag. Mike Tyson could throw a whopping 1,400 pounds of force in a single punch. We’re no Mike Tyson but if your wrist isn’t being protected you run the risk of serious injury which can happen immediately or over time. That’s why having wrist support is crucial, without it your wrist will suffer.

Here’s what to look for:

The protective foam should continue the entire length of the glove.

The glove closure should secure your hand in place to prevent shifting.

Your glove should have a closure system that secures your wrist and prevents bending or twisting. Choosing between lace or strap closure is purely based on preference, but ensuring your glove has solid wrist support should be priority number one, especially for beginners who haven’t mastered the techniques.

The foam on the top of your hand should run overtop of your wrist joint, or have a similar protection method in place to ensure your wrist is fully supported. Otherwise, your wrist is subject to twists and bends.

Hand Protection

Do you know that you have 27 different bones in each hand and 8 small bones in your wrist? It’s a bit scary when you think about it, especially when your hands and wrists are on the front lines every time you train. Finding gloves that keep your hands protected and comfortable needs to be one of your primary considerations while researching gloves.

Here’s what to look for:

Multi-layered protective foam for your hands, and most importantly your knuckles. It’s a bit hard to screen for, so do your research and read reviews on the company.

Modern gloves use injected or custom layered foam to absorb and distribute force. Not all foams are created equal, density, layering, glues, coverage, and quality are all factors that affect the protection and experience of a great boxing glove.

Comfort + Fit

Boxing gloves come many different styles and sizes, the only way you’re going to find the perfect fit is by trying some on yourself. You’re the one that will be wearing the gloves every time you train, so you best make sure they’re comfortable.

Here’s what to look for:

Hand pocket size shouldn’t be too big or too tight.

Thumb positioning and finger length. Your thumb should be in a natural position. The tip of your middle finger should not feel crammed.

The lining should be soft and prevent friction bruises while punching.

The glove should fit securely and not shift while punching.

You know the little tests you do while trying on new shoes? You should take a similar approach with a new pair of gloves. If you’re ordering online, be sure to follow a sizing guide, then double check the fit once you have them in your hands (with and without hand wraps). Make a tight fist, flex your fingers, and make sure your thumb feels comfortable in the pocket.

The way your glove fits isn’t just about performance; it’s also about keeping your hands and wrists safe. Your glove should feel snug without being too constrictive, while your wrist should feel stable and secure.

You should also consider that there may be a breaking in period for your glove as well. Some gloves have denser foams that need to be broken down. Gloves usually take a few rounds to break in and fully adjust to the shape of your hand.